So Massachusetts residents are "overwhelmingly satisfied" with their healthcare experiment?

[antigop]

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/12/1742241.aspx

If the Obama Administration and Congress attempt to bring America closer to full health care coverage as promised, the conversation inevitably will focus on Massachusetts, the state that has made the boldest effort in the country toward that goal.

On Nightly News tonight we begin a two-part series on the Massachusetts experiment. And we must emphasize that it is indeed an experiment. No one can predict whether it will succeed. But according to a recent Harvard poll, the residents of the state are overwhelmingly satisfied.

If you read the comments, there are a lot of negative posts.

[HughMoran]

1. Most of the Republcans I know hate it

So, there's that, I guess.

[rurallib]

2. I asked Romney in an appearance before the Iowa caucuses

if "his" health care plan could deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. A report had come out that morning about a nurse who was denied coverage for stage 4 breast cancer. Romney had no idea how it worked. When I pressed the question he simply ignored me.

[originalpckelly]

3. As we all know, the problem with health insurance is that we all don't want it.

:eyes:

I'm glad you see through the BS, I'm not surprised there are negative posts.

[Bill McBlueState]

4. that could be true

The majority of people may be satisfied, especially if they just kept the coverage they've always had. But that isn't the point. The question is whether the under- and uninsured people the program is supposed to help are satisfied.

[hughee99]

6. And that's the thing...

the majority of people in MA already had coverage, and didn't change a thing. The change for many people was just that they were being required to do what they were doing anyway, so asking them what they think of it isn't really a good measure of it's success or failure.

[sandnsea]

15. I have subsidized insurance

In Oregon, much like they have in Mass. I am satisfied. It could be better, but I have as good of insurance as most anybody else does, better than many. For a little over $100 a month. I'm sure there are many, many people like me in Mass.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Yes, We Love It.

The weather here is cold, but the people here are warm. Most all of us really care about others, and we're pleased as can be that we're extending coverage as broadly as we can until the Feds implement single-payer. I have a really good job, my employer gives me free health insurance, I pay a lot of taxes - and I'd happily pay more to ensure that we all have health care. Most others i know feel the same way.

[antigop]

9. How would you feel if you lost your job and your employer "free health insurance"? n/t

[MannyGoldstein]

13. I'd Hate It

But I'd be glad that I'd be able to purchase insurance cheaply through the state - or get it without paying via Medicaid if things got tough (MA has excellent Medicaid covereage).

[GoesTo11]

7. It screws young adults

Those too young to be making decent money (but making enough to be just out of poverty for a single adult), too young for their average health care costs to be as much as the policies charge. It would make it somewhat more difficult to start out adult life there.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

12. And they get no subsidies for the premiums

Since everyone knows that young single people haven't a care in the world and buckets of extra cash lying around. :sarcasm:

[sandnsea]

16. It's based on income

Of course they get a subsidy.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

8. I'm not terribly satisfied with it.

The idea is okay, but the execution is not. It's wonderful for people who are collecting unemployment or otherwise downtrodden - in many cases they don't have to pay a cent to get decent coverage.

Everyone else, however, has to have it (either through work or one's own initiative) or pay a nasty tax penalty come April. If we're going to go that route, why not socialize health insurance? Plus the state doesn't have much clear oversight over insurers who operate within Massachusetts, even companies that partner with the state in the Commonwealth Choice program.

Honestly, I don't trust the program much. I think deep down it's an attempt for Romney to enrich health insurance companies.

[valerief]

10. I don't want health insurance. I want health care. nt

[Lady Effingbroke]

17. +1.

:thumbsup:

[Sebass1271]

11. this is not about republicans only that are complaining

some relatives of mine living in MA are also complaining about the coverage. For example: Not to many doctors are accepting the state plan and so lines or waiting period to see a doctor that does is about three months.

I also hear that you must buy the insurance and if you let it expire you will be penalized and possibly can't attend school!.

It is pretty much like car insurance. You don't pay, you can't get your license renewed.

I don't know why everything that is from the government have to be so complicated and complex. Also, it seems that the benefits/insurance will screw middle working class families instead of helping.

[Kat45]

14. I just became unemployed (in MA) so I'll be able to answer the question in a month

My former employer is continuing my insurance for this month, then I'll be on my own to find insurance come February. Unless of course I find a new FT job with benefits in the next few weeks, which I'm not particularly expecting in this economy.

I've been researching the insurance and it *looks* ok, but it won't be until I try to actually get on a plan that I'll find out about what the actual coverage is. And looking at the costs of the plans, I'll need to at least find PT work to have any hope of paying for it.